Monday 15 July 2013

Borderline London, Norway, and More...



Hi Everyone

It has been a very busy few weeks for Darren and the lads and as the High Kings are about to set off Stateside for the festivals, we will bring you up to date with recent events.


Borderline London Album Preview

“Day 2 of a week of HK rehearsals done. The set list for our show at London's Borderline next Monday sounds slamming. Very exciting times ahead for us.
Stay tuned!”

“Thanks for all the birthday wishes, appreciate it. I'm off for day 4 of rehearsing and recording with HK, and Sharon Shannon is dropping by later to blast a few tunes with us.”



“Rehearsal done. Gym done. Now ready for BBQ in glorious sunshine with herself and the nippers. Good times.”

“Spent a lovely day again with the kiddies while mummy had to work : ( Packed and ready to fly to London in the morning for our show at The Borderline tomorrow night at 8pm. Should be a stormer with many of the new album songs being showcased for the very first time. Looking forward to meeting all our new Sony Music family after the show and seeing some great UK and Irish friends. We might have a certain iconic lady joining us on her box for a few songs too!! Bring it on!”

“London. Are you ready!!”



“One hour to show time here in London. Should be a stormer. Full house expected so they are the first audience to hear the new material. Huge Sony contingent coming so looking forward to meeting them all.”


“Enjoying a Starbucks on sunny Oxford St and still buzzing after an amazing gig last night. What a crowd. The new songs all went down a treat and the feedback was brilliant. Great to meet all our new label team from the UK and Europe and also great to see some true HK friends and followers.
Thanks to you all.”

Unfortunately, we are currently unable to share video of the new original songs performed on the night. But, the player below has 7 songs, including a new High Kings cover of 'Galway Girl' where they were accompanied on stage by Sharon Shannon.




Photos taken on the night



A lovely tribute to the High Kings from Sharon Shannon

“I'm so proud of my lovely friends 'The High Kings' who did a very special showcase gig last night at 'The Borderline' in London. They really rocked the place and they had all the top record company executives dancing up a storm! After spending lots of studio time with them last year, it was a great honor to share the stage with them for the first time last night. I'm still buzzing from it and I am so excited for them because the reaction to their gig last night was absolutely phenomenal. Congratulations Darren Holden, Martin Furey, Finbarr Clancy and Brian Dunphy and best of luck with the new album.”

 'FRIENDS FOR LIFE' 


The album is available for pre-order from Amazon UK with a release date of 23rd September 



Floro Festival Norway

“Heading to Norway tomorrow with the guys to play in Floro for the second year running. Great festival, great people and great fun. My good friend James Cramer and his band Tupelo will be heading over with us and I can't wait to see them play. Should be a great couple of days. However, on this glorious day, the garden needs tending to. Cheerio.”

“Arrived in Beautiful Floro at 11pm tonight and it was and is still bright! Had an absolute ball at a party that we went to with "Tupelo", where we all sang a few tunes and hung out, and laughed. Boy did we laugh! : ) Tomorrow we are off on a boat trip to somewhere exciting, before coming back to soundcheck for the show. Good times.”

“Off to sea!”

“Aboard The Atloy”


“On the High Kings Seas”


“Norway knows how to throw some party! Floro absolutely rocked tonight and blew our minds with the reaction from the word go. Brilliant crowd, and a perfect end to a fantastic 2 days here.”

Photos in this slide are courtesy and copyright of David E. Antonsen, Firdaposten




“This is what happens at 2am in Norway after a party. Myself, Finbarr, Paul, Damian and James from Tupelo try to recreate the Abbey Road album cover. : ) Great fun, and yes I said 2am.” 
 


Westport Festival

“Looking forward to heading to the west tomorrow morning for The Westport Food and Music Festival. 'The High Kings' are are on at 2.20pm and I am proud to say we are sharing the main stage with The Waterboys, Christy Moore, ABC, Imelda May and many more. Should be an absolute blast!!”



CLICK HERE FOR official photos



Climb for Kids Full Documentary

We are delighted to tell you that the full 50 minute 'Climb for Kids' documentary of Darren's 2009 climb of Kilimanjaro with the celebrity Crumlin team is now available to watch on YouTube.

This was previously only broadcast on RTE 1 in Ireland back in July 2010 and was not then made available for international viewing.



Other Updates From Darren...

“Scoring VIP tix to Bon Jovi at Slane does not suck!!!
Now rain please don't make an appearance.
Ooh we're halfway there.......”

“Tonight was my 4th time seeing Bon Jovi live. First was Dublin in 1988, then Tampa Florida in 2006, Dublin 2011 and Slane tonight. One of the best live rock bands ever. Though tonight I missed Richie, the show was still top class and I can't wait to see them again.
3 full hours of pure rock and roll under a sunny sky can't be beat.”

“My little hero, Joshy scored 98% on his first Royal Victoria music exam ever. Proud?........ I'm over the moon. He is a little legend, and always works so hard. Way to go Josh. I am a very proud dad.”

“My brand new, soon to be 'broken in like a bronco' Accordian. My other 3 are going to Accordian rehab to recover for a few months while I start on making this one weep for mercy! Muh haw haw haw hawwwwww.........”





“Heading to the launch of Cannonball 2013 with the wife. Should he great night. Beautiful evening in Dublin.”


Evening Herald


“Good fun in Lillies tonight. All this great weather brings the best out in everyone. Not often I sing 'Let it Be' as a duet with Decco Bishop! : )”

“Herself and I are heading to the opening night of Keith Barry's new show The Dark Side in a little while. First a nice drink to calm the nerves!!”

“Sending prayers and healing wishes for Randy Travis who is seriously ill after a stroke. One of my favourite country singers ever.”

“Guest list and front row seats to Rascal Flatts.....not sucky at all!!!
Olympia here we come”

“Rascal Flatts!!! Wow!!
Best show I've been to in years!
Loved it. Killer gig.”




That's all the news for now, we'll be back with more and all the round up from the US festivals as soon as we have it.

Darren's official sites reached two milestones on 12th July. His Official Facebook page had it's 5th Anniversary, and this Official website, launched Christmas Eve 2010, reached 150,000 views.


Thank you all so much for your continued support.


Darren & the DH Team